When to seek medical advice

Visit your GP or optometrist if your vision is getting gradually worse. If your vision suddenly gets worse, images are distorted or you notice blind spots in your field of vision, seek medical advice immediately and book an emergency appointment with an optometrist.

If AMD is suspected, you'll be referred to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) for tests and any necessary treatment.

Who's affected?

AMD currently affects more than 600,000 people in the UK and is the leading cause of vision loss. By 2020, it's predicted almost 700,000 people will have late-stage AMD in the UK.

For reasons that are unclear, AMD tends to be more common in women than men. It's also more common in white and Chinese people.

The condition is most common in people over the age of 50. It's estimated 1 in every 10 people over 65 have some degree of AMD.

Treating macular degeneration

There's currently no cure for either type of AMD. With dry AMD, treatment aims to help a person make the most of their remaining vision – for example, magnifying lenses can be used to make reading easier.

There's some evidence to suggest a diet rich in leafy green vegetables may slow the progression of dry AMD.